Parading the streets

The annual Halloween Walk produced the biggest crowd yet this year, with hundreds of young people lining the sidewalks in all four directions from the center of town at Market and Second streets.

During the 10-year history of the event, more and more downtown merchants have seen how much fun it is and have joined the festivities, said Lisa O’Neal, assistant director for Cheraw Recreation and Leisure Services.

“But never has there been a crowd this size,” she said. “We had more than 400 kids participate and they each had a parent, or two, or grandparent with them,:

In addition to downtown merchants, two local businesses, Pizza Hut and Dr. Novinger’s office, took advantage of the opportunity to participate this year by setting up a trick or treat station at Centennial Park.

Tina Ellis, Cheraw Town Clerk, said she personally prepared 375 goodie bags filled with a variety of treats the night before the walk. The ladies in the office added plenty more to that the next morning, Ellis said, “And we ran out. The atmosphere was more like a parade than anything else. The afternoon was pleasant and everyone just seemed to happy.”

Besty Hancock, owner of Betsy’s Boutique on Market Street, said she had bought more than 400 pieces of candy to give out as well.

“I could tell we weren’t going to make it as watched the lines grow longer and longer,” said Hancock. “I had to run across the street to Super 10 and get more candy.”

“We couldn’t have done it without all the help of the Cheraw Police Department and those at Cheraw Town Hall,” said O’Neal. “We are grateful for their support and the participating merchants, parents and children.”

— Staff Writer Karen Kissiah can be reached by calling 843-537-5261, or by email at kkissiah@civitasmedia.com.